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Juliana Ross prepares to take the stage before performing in a drag show at Oilcan Harry\u2019s in downtown Austin Sunday, June 22, 2025.<\/p>\n
Mikala Compton\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Finding your footing in a new city can be hard. Finding your footing \u2014 and your people \u2014 as a queer person can take even more work, especially in Texas.<\/p>\n
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Austin, though, has long carved out pockets where queer culture thrives<\/a>. You see it in the rainbow crosswalk in downtown Austin<\/a>, the queer comedy nights, and on Fourth Street, where men in tiny underwear dance beneath flashing lights to Lady Gaga<\/a>\u2019s \u201cAbracadabra.\u201d The gay pockets are everywhere, and Grindr decided to make a travel itinerary out of them.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In a new YouTube series, \u201cHost or Travel,\u201d travelers connect with locals through Grindr \u2014 the LGBTQ+ social networking and dating app \u2014 to explore queer-friendly corners of different cities. The Austin episode follows visitor Thanh as locals guide him through thrift stores, barbecue joints and dance floors across the city.<\/p>\n John-Carlos Estrada and Allison Miller take photos Monday at the Rainbow Crosswalk installation at Fourth and Colorado streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jay Janner\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n Below are some of the spots featured in the episode \u2014 along with a few additional recommendations for anyone looking to build their own queer Austin itinerary.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Little Gay Shop<\/p>\n The Little Gay Shop at 828 Airport Blvd. supports LGBTQ creativity, with stock including works from local artists.<\/p>\n Stephen Spillman for Statesman<\/p>\n The tour begins at this East Austin storefront dedicated to queer books, gifts, art and apparel. Thanh meets local Devin, who works in trucking, outside the shop on East 12th Street, next door to King Bee \u2014 a bar well known in Austin\u2019s lesbian scene. The area also sits near the recently shuttered gay bar Outer Heaven \u2014 gone but not forgotten.<\/p>\n 1902 E. 12th St.\u00a0thelittlegayshop.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Dear Diary Coffee<\/p>\n Just a short walk away from The Little Gay Shop sits this vegan coffee shop, known for espresso drinks and pastries made without animal products.<\/p>\n 1212\u00a0Chicon St. 512-489-6757,\u00a0deardiary.coffee.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n La Barbecue<\/p>\n Customers use complimentary umbrellas to shade themselves while waiting in line at La Barbecue on East Cesar Chavez Street in East Austin on a hot afternoon Wednesday, May 14, 2025.<\/p>\n Jay Janner\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n At one point, the episode lands where many Austin trips inevitably do: at a barbecue joint. The Michelin-recognized spot is famous for its bark-heavy brisket. Nearby, though not featured in the episode, is another East Cesar Chavez Street staple worth mentioning: Coco Coquette, the boutique known for wigs, makeup and party outfits.<\/p>\n 2401\u00a0E. Cesar Chavez St. labarbecue.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Coco Coquette: 2109 E. Cesar Chavez St. 512-344-9173, coco-coquette.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Top Drawer Thrift<\/p>\n Top Drawer Thrift manager Ben Zimmerman on Friday, August 4, 2023.<\/p>\n Jay Janner \/ American-Statesman<\/p>\n The bright pink building near North Loop sells clothing, books and vintage finds while supporting people living with HIV.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 5312 Airport\u00a0Blvd. 512-454-5161, topdrawerthrift.org.<\/a><\/p>\n Pennybacker Bridge<\/p>\n If you’re looking to get out of the bustle of downtown, a short hike takes you to a spot overlooking Pennybacker Bridge. Here, Haley Soechting and Dana Teets pose for a selfie at the Loop 360 bridge overlook on May 15, 2017.\u00a0<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n The sweeping Hill Country views at this overlook point remain one of Austin\u2019s classic date-night backdrops. Just don\u2019t leave valuables in the car.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 5300\u00a0N. Capital of Texas Highway.<\/p>\n The Creek & The Cave<\/p>\n Punkie Johnson performs during the Moontower Just for Laughs Comedy Festival at The Creek and the Cave on April 20, 2023, in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n Suzanne Cordeiro \/ For American-Statesman<\/p>\n Thanh later meets local comedian Colton at this Red River comedy venue for a queer comedy show. Around the corner sits another nightlife spot not featured in the episode but difficult to ignore: Barbarella, home to the \u201cTuesGays\u201d dance nights, Y2K parties and occasional clothing vendors.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 611\u00a0E. Seventh St. 737-222-0852, creekandcave.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Barbarella: 611 Red River St. instagram.com\/barbarella_atx.<\/a><\/p>\n The Iron Bear<\/p>\n Ken Earnest, right, and his husband, Rusty Salazar, left, at the Iron Bear in 2018.<\/p>\n Austin 360<\/p>\n For those wanting a slightly more laid-back Fourth Street experience, The Iron Bear offers a calmer alternative to some of the district\u2019s louder dance clubs. The bar also serves food.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 301\u00a0W. Sixth St. 512-482-8993,\u00a0theironbear.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Cheer Up\u00a0Charlie’s<\/p>\n Bar-goers dance on stage during Meg the Stallion Tribute Night at Cheer Up Charlie’s in downtown Austin, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n Cheer Up\u00a0Charlie’s hosts everything from live music to drag performances to queer line dancing nights.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 900 Red River St. 512-431-2133, cheerupcharlies.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Rain<\/p>\n Juliana Ross visits RAIN in downtown Austin Sunday, June 22, 2025.<\/p>\n Mikala Compton\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n Then comes Rain, where, as\u00a0Thanh puts it in the episode, \u201ceverything leveled up.\u201d The longtime Fourth Street club is known for packed dance floors, booming music and lines that regularly snake around the block.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Top Drawer Thrift on Friday, August 4, 2023.<\/p>\n Jay Janner \/ American-Statesman<\/p>\n 217\u00a0W. Fourth St. 512-494-1150, instagram.com\/rainon4th.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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